FILM FEST’S NEW CHAIR PLANS TO SHIFT FOCUS

The San Diego Film Festival, which has earned titles like “Best Party Fest” and “Best Beach Fest,” has never had much of a reputation for its actual movie selection.

But that’s something Dale Strack hopes to change now that he’s been named chairman of the annual festival, which celebrates its 11th season this September.

“I’ve spent my life building businesses from the ground up,” said Strack, a producer for Mantooth Films. “Using those formulas, we hope to build the festival and expand its outreach to the community.”

The event has screened feature films and documentaries, with filmmakers, actors, writers or producers there for discussions. It has attracted celebrities, including Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Dreyfuss and Jesse Eisenberg.

But Strack has a grander vision. “In this first stage, we’re modeling it after the Napa Valley Film Festival,” he said. “But the longer term goal is to have it rival Sundance or TriBeCa.”

Strack, along with Kevin Leap, who was named president of the San Diego Film Festival board of directors, are looking toward the future. “People are looking to their TV sets to watch movies on streaming devices, and we want to bring that element to the festival,” Strack said.

They’re also bringing more fundraising opportunities to help rising filmmakers and expanding the event into La Jolla to attract audiences in North County, Orange County and even Los Angeles. They hope to make the festival more of a community event rather than something that’s just for movie insiders or Gaslamp party people.

For Scott Marks, a film writer for The Reader’s Big Screen and a member of the San Diego Film Critics Society, any change to the event is a welcome one.

“The worst thing I can say about the San Diego Film Festival is that a guy like me, who sees over 300 new films a year, wouldn’t go near it at gunpoint,” he said. “For a festival more intent on throwing parties than putting quality films on the screen, this could be a blessing.”